National Milk Day significance
Legacy of Dr Verghese Kurien and the National Milk Day: National Milk Day is observed every year on 26 November to honour Dr Verghese Kurien, popularly known as the Father of the White Revolution. This day highlights India’s transformational journey in dairy production. It also recognises the cooperative movement that empowered millions of rural households.
Early life of Dr Kurien
Dr Verghese Kurien was born in 1921 in Kozhikode, Kerala. His education in engineering and dairy science later shaped his contribution to India’s rural economy. His move to Anand, Gujarat, became the defining moment that connected him to the cooperative movement.
Architect of the White Revolution
Dr Kurien led Operation Flood, the world’s largest dairy development programme. This programme transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer. His vision focused on empowering farmers through cooperatives rather than middlemen.
India’s dairy sector expansion under Operation Flood ensured stable milk distribution, rural incomes, and nutritional security. Static GK fact: India contributes nearly 24% of global milk production, the highest in the world.
Founding of key institutions
Dr Kurien served as the Founder Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). NDDB became the central force behind dairy reforms and cooperative expansion across states. He also played a key role in building the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which manages the famous Amul brand.
He later established the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to train young professionals in rural development and cooperative management. This institution continues to support India’s grassroots governance systems.
Static GK Tip: Amul was founded in 1946, long before the White Revolution, but Dr Kurien turned it into a national model.
Impact on edible oil and other sectors
Beyond dairy, Dr Kurien also reformed India’s edible oil sector. He launched the popular Dhara brand in 1979, promoting affordable and high-quality edible oils. This helped stabilize the domestic market and reduce dependence on imports.
His cooperative-based approach became a blueprint for multiple sectors, showing how farmer collectives could bring large-scale change.
Static GK fact: Dhara’s slogan “Dhara, Dhara—Shuddh Dhara” became one of India’s most memorable brand campaigns.
Awards and recognitions
Dr Kurien received several national and international honours. These include the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1963), the World Food Prize (1989), and the Padma Vibhushan (1999). His work continues to inspire rural development programmes and cooperative models across the world.
Continuing legacy
National Milk Day serves as a reminder of Dr Kurien’s vision of self-reliant villages and inclusive economic growth. His legacy stands as a symbol of how scientific innovation, decentralization, and community participation can reshape a nation’s economy.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Legacy of Dr Verghese Kurien and the National Milk Day:
| Topic | Detail |
| National Milk Day date | 26 November |
| Purpose | To honour Dr Verghese Kurien |
| Birth year and place | 1921, Kozhikode (Kerala) |
| Key contribution | Architect of the White Revolution |
| Major programme | Operation Flood |
| Key institutions | NDDB, GCMMF, IRMA |
| Edible oil reform | Introduction of Dhara brand in 1979 |
| Major awards | Magsaysay 1963, World Food Prize 1989, Padma Vibhushan 1999 |
| India’s milk status | Largest milk producer globally |
| Core approach | Cooperative-based rural development |
